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The Champions of One Eye!!!

Le Morne, the one eyed monster - Domesticated by the North Kiteboarding Wave Team!

Also the second year the KSP stopped in Mauritius and took place in epic conditions. Day 9 showed the finals at the One Eye Kite Surf Pro. The women’s final saw a repeat victory from local Ninja Bichler (GER, North), dominating her home break. 3 times world champion Kirsty Jones was a bit unlucky with conditions but still managed to achieve a respectful third place and was showing her impressive hard style and beautiful barrels also in the expression session. The men’s side saw underdog Patri McLaughlin (HI, North) take down reigning world champion Airton Cozzolino (ITA, North) nailing the only perfect 10 of the competition in the dying moments of the final.

In the marquee matchup of the day, the men’s final promised to be the best heat of the event and it did not disappoint. The powerful Cozzolino was pitted against the barrel-hunting McLaughlin in a final that saw several lead changes and some of the most impressive tube rides of the event. McLaughlin got off to a great start with an opening wave score of 6.83 to Cozzolino’s 4.5. However, Cozzolino answered back with an 8.5 to give him the lead at the midpoint of the final.

McLaughlin’s never-say-die attitude finally paid off in the final moments of the heat with the event title on the line. Pulling into a seemingly un-makeable barrel, McLaughlin emerged claiming the first 10-point ride of the competition. Cozzolino scored a 7.5 late in the heat, but was unable to overtake McLaughlin for the title of the One Eye Kite Surf Pro.

“I’m so stoked right now I don’t even know what to say”, said the overwhelmed McLaughlin. “I got the biggest closeout barrel of my life in that final, and I am just so happy to be here.”